First Aid Kits

Get a head start on your New Year's Resolution and put together a Rat First Aid Kit.  Here are some things we recommend you include in your kit:

1. Kitchen scale that weighs in grams.  You need to be able to accurately monitor your rat's weight, AND know their weight for correct dosing of medications.
2. ​Wound flush- sterile saline spray can. Saline is a wonderful as an initial wound flush to get any debris or pus out of a wound.
3. Hibicleanse - antiseptic/antimicrobial wash. Used as the second wash for superficial wounds and or scratches.  This may help avoid an abcess from forming.
4. Bluecote - wound spray. Final step in caring for a superficial wound.
5. Q-tips - cleaning sensitive areas
6. Peroxide - use diluted to debride infection.  Abcesses are common in rats, and bacteria needs to be cleaned from the pocket under the skin. Flushing with peroxide helps to bring that deep set pus to the surface where it can be washed away.
7. Non-latex gloves - to not spread infection.  Its important to keep your hands clean and to not spread infection between rats.  Gloves help.
8. Styptic Powder or Corn Starch. Both can be used on minor cuts as well as over trimmed nails.
9. Gauze pads
10. Cotton pads/balls
11. Vet wrap or Medical Tape
12. Small towel
13. Small scissors
14. Tweezers
15. Old sock filled with dry beans/rice - microwave for heat source
16. Single Dose Hypertonic Saline - for nebulizing
17. 1cc/ml syringes. These are important for accurate doseage of medications.
18. Childrens Ibuprofen
19. Terramycin Ointment. Rats can scratch their cornea which can lead to a bacterial infection of the eye. This opthalmic ointment is wonderful in treating minor eye infections.
20. Carnivore Care.  This is complete nutrition in powder form that you mix with fluids. Rats may be more willing to eat soft foods rather than rat block when sick.
21. Baby food. Mixing Carnivore Care in baby food can encourage rats to eat.
22. NutriCal - dietary supplement to help rats gain/maintain weight after an illness.
23. Box to store kit in!

Here is an Amazon list of all the supplies listed,